Prime went in search of their first points of the season at home to old rivals Roselands Reserves - but the run up to the game was anything but ideal. Prime were still without Walters, Walker, Sander, Flamank and now Fleming as well. Chris Gray's injury ruled him out, but thankfully he was able to step in and ref the game after Steve Bartholomew's late withdrawal. Martin Coleman made his full debut after an impressive performance from the bench last week.

Prime's achilles heal this season has been conceding early goals, but this week it was the purples who were pressing early on with Goldsmith and Barker linking up well. It was clear that Roselands were missing a few players - as shown by the fact they had no subs - but the standard of the game was poor - evidenced by the fact that 3 balls were lost over the fence in the first 10 minutes!

Prime were pressing firmly forward with Henshall and Abu running the show in midfield and Ellis and Coleman providing good energy down the wings.

When Roselands did venture forward they found an assured Cary and an uncompromising Gilbert looking dominant. Barnham put in some characteristically strong tackles, while Davis was back to his best - and he was proving a good outlet for Prime.

Despite their dominance, clear-cut chances were at a premium. The best came on 20 minutes when Coleman's quick-thinking from a throw in released Goldsmith in the inside-right channel. He got to the by-line and cut the ball back for the onrushing Ellis who shanked his shot horribly with his weaker right foot. Barker fired in the rebound but the keeper saved well.

Prime seemed to have taken the lead minutes after when Roselands half-cleared a corner to Barker who caught a volley sweetly on his left-foot, but Roselands' defender hooked the ball clear from under his own crossbar - Prime players were adamant that the ball had crossed the line - but nothing was given.

Abu's inswinging corners were causing panic and Goldsmith put a back-post header just wide from one delivery.

Eventually the home side took the lead when Henshall volleyed home expertly from just inside the box - beating the impressive keeper all ends up.

At the break there were some bizarre scenes as Goldsmith had to drive round and retrieve 4 lost balls that had been hoofed over in the first half!

After a slightly extended break, it was more of the same with Prime firmly on the front foot. Barker was foiled twice more by the keeper before Ellis' burst down the left opened things up for Goldsmith to fire in a shot from the edge of the box that the keeper tipped away.

Abu's deliveries were still causing problems but Goldsmith and Cary both put efforts off target.

Midway through the second half Prime were made to pay for their profligacy when Roselands pushed forward and their full-back smashed a 20-yarder into the top corner with Gilbert screaming for an offside decision that never came.

Prime were in danger of losing their heads completely and Roselands had a free-kick from just outside the box that Prime scrambled clear and then a couple of corners as the home side threatened to implode.

But with 10 minutes left, Prime used route 1 to get their noses back in front. Kerton's massive clearance left Barker in a foot-race with the Roselands centre-back which he won easily and slotted home for his 3rd goal of the season.

Postlethwaite came on for Barnham and Goldsmith was replaced by Sturmey as the home side succesfully saw out time and picked up a dserved 3 points.

A special mention goes to Chris Gray for reffing the game at such short notice and also to our subs - Postlethwaite and Sturmey who ended up running both lines for the vast majority of the game - despite Roselands having several supporters in attendance who presumably couldn't be arsed to do it!